BEST TIME TO VISIT SEMLIKI FOR A UGANDA SAFARI

Best Time, Seasons & Months To Go On Safari In Semliki?

Semliki Wildlife Reserve has a somewhat lower elevation in a valley starting at 700 meters than other areas of Uganda, and this factor contributes to a warmer variation in weather patterns that are slightly different from the rest of the country. Check with the expert consultant at AfricanMecca Safaris when planning your vacation. Typical temperatures in the area include daytime highs that range from 29ºC (84 F) and 33ºC (92 F), while nighttime temperatures hover around 18ºC (65 F) and 21ºC (70 F). Accordingly, you can plan your trip for most times of the year and look forward to fantastic weather at Semliki.

Different Monthly Seasons At Semliki - Dry, Hot, Wet Rainy & Cool

Note On Wet Rainy Season For Semliki Wildlife Reserve: In comparison to other parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the precipitation in millimeters is less in Semliki Wildlife Reserve. This is primarily due to the hot-humid equatorial climate based on its geographical location in western Uganda. Expect thunderstorms during the rainy season.

1. Dry Months, Best Time & High Season For Semliki: December, January and February are the driest, most humid and hottest months but not the peak season of travel in Uganda. Expect few guests compared to the peak season.
2. Dry & Wet Rainy Months, Very Good Time & Mid-Peak Season For Semliki: March, June, and July offer a mixture of dry and wet periods.
3. Wet Rainy Months, Good Time & Peak Season For Semliki: August and September are both rainy and peak periods with high numbers of visitors into Semliki.
4. Wet Rainy Season, Least Best Time & Low Season For Semliki: April, May, October, and November. These months are also part of the lush green season.
5. Hot & Cool Months: There is only 1-4 Celsius degrees variation in temperature in between months at Semliki. January, February and March are the hottest months with highs of 33 C (92 F) during the day and lows of 21 C (70 F) at night while June, July and August are the coolest months with highs of 29ºC (84 F) during the day and lows of 18 C (65 F) at night. All other months have a range from 30 C (86 F) to 32 C (90 F) during the daytime while nighttime temperatures average from 19 C (66 F) and 20 C (68 F).
6. Best Time For Birdwatching Safaris In Semliki: The best time for birding safaris in Semliki Reserve is from January to March when it is the driest and warmest. The migratory birds arrive in November and leave by April. Breeding season starts around the start of the rains i.e end of March. The peak rainy months of April, May, October and November bring an abundance of food that leads to a lot of avian activity though trails can be slippery, and also roads and airstrips can be challenging to navigate.

Key Takeaways

• Maximum daytime temperatures remaining around 33 C (92 F) while lowest nighttime temperatures hover at around 18 C (65 F)
• The region experiencing unusually long wet seasons because of the proximity to the mountains and being close to Lake Albert, some rainfall occurs during the dry seasons also
• Long rains starting around end of March and lasting until May and early June and short rains beginning in August and remaining until November
• Room prices more economical during the wet seasons with the park showcasing a profusion of fresh vegetation that is strikingly beautiful to see
• Most vacationers from North America and Europe booking tours in summer when schools are closed and it is one of the best times to visit East Africa

Visiting Semliki During the Dry Seasons - Is It The Best Time To Go On Safari Based On Climate, Temperatures & Weather Conditions?

Like the rest of Africa, Semliki has two dry seasons, both are good times to travel, and two wet seasons. However, the reserve seems to receive rainfall all through the year because of its location in the shadow of the mountains and being close to Lake Albert. The cooler months in this region of Uganda are June and July and the warmer months of December, January, and February are typically dry seasons and the best times to visit, but even during these periods, you may experience some rain for a few days at a time.

You should consider the long dry season from December to February as the best time to visit Semliki Wildlife Reserve (where to stay). That’s because the vegetation is sparse, so you’ll find it easier to spot the wildlife and avian fauna of the park. You will also note that since the animals congregate at the water bodies to drink, you can locate them readily. The dry season is also a time when there are fewer bugs such as mosquitoes, lessening worries about insect-related ailments.

Wet Seasons In Semliki Reserve & How To Plan Activities During The Rainy Period?

The usual wet seasons are the short rains starting at the end of March, April and May, and the long rains in August, September, and through October and November. All the same, the park does receive visitors in the wet seasons. During the rains, the reserve acquires lush vegetation, making it all the more beautiful to view. There are also fewer other travelers, so you might enjoy the sense of solitude. Some guests choose the wet season to go on safari in Semliki Wildlife Reserve since rooms are priced more economically thanks to off-season discounts.

Even during the wet season, it does not rain all through the day. Your safari activities such as game drives, birdwatching tours, primate tracking or safari bush walks in Semliki can adjust on the day based on the weather conditions or you can continue with your as planned. However, you might want to come prepared for the possibility of muddier roads and trails, which make logistics more difficult.

Other Considerations When Planning Your Safari Dates For Semliki Reserve

Besides weather, Semliki Park receives more visitors during the dry season in part because schools are closed in the northern countries of America and Europe in the months of June, July, and August, making these months a good time to plan a family safari in Uganda. The other dry season of December and January coincides with winter in northern climates, making this part of Africa a great place for a warm-weather vacation or family holiday celebration during the Christmas and New Year periods. The dry season is also preferable if you are looking to visit the gorillas in the Bwindi Forest Mountains or extend out to Tanzania and Kenya for a wildebeest migration safari in Serengeti and Masai Mara. Accordingly, you could include a trip to Semliki Park in your itinerary.